Billy Cotton And His Band

Billy Cotton And His Band

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Best known as the London Savannah band, this orchestra was formed by Billy Cotton in 1924. Cotton continued to direct the band throughout its existence.

At first a conventional dance band, the orchestra gradually tended towards music hall/vaudeville entertainment, introducing visual and verbal humour in between songs.
Famous musicians who played in Billy Cotton's band during the 1920s and 1930s included Arthur Rosebery, Syd Lipton and Nat Gonella. The band was also noted for their African American trombonist and tap dancer, Ellis Jackson. Their signature tune was "Somebody Stole My Gal", and they made numerous commercial recordings for Decca.